A festive 360° fulldome show produced by the Life Science Centre (Life) team is gaining international attention after being bought by planetaria across the world.
What Santa Sees, was written and produced for the planetarium and merges the magic of Christmas with science to introduce youngsters to astronomy.
The animated show has captivated local audiences visiting Life and received rave reviews, describing it as “magical”, “truly stunning” and a “great sensory experience”. It is now being enjoyed across the world after being bought by planetaria in Lithuania, Poland, Australia, Scotland, Bristol as well as Liberty Science Center in New Jersey, USA – which has the third largest dome in the world.
Written by Life’s Head of Public Engagement Elin Roberts and animated by Life’s Digital Producer Tommy Howell, What Santa Sees follows Santa and his reindeer as they travel from the North Pole across the globe on Christmas Eve, using the stars to navigate.
The success of the show has also led to Life producing an accompanying book with hand-drawn illustrations, so youngsters can follow Santa’s adventures at home.
Linda Conlon, Chief Executive at Life said: “We knew that the team had produced something special with What Santa Sees and it’s wonderful to see that audiences around the world can now enjoy it.
“It’s a delightful production with a universal appeal incorporating the charm of Christmas with science that is age appropriate for a young audience. The lovely storytelling element of the show lent itself perfectly to producing an accompanying book.”
Shaaron Leverment, Chief Executive of the national industry body, the Association for Science and Discovery Centres (ASDC), added: “What Santa Sees is heartwarming, funny, scientifically rigorous, wholly immersive and – dare I say – very sellable! It was honestly the best fulldome show I’ve seen all year – we can’t wait to see what comes from the creative team at Life next!”
What Santa Sees show is now showing in Life’s planetarium as part of the science centre’s festive programme and the accompanying book is on sale in the centre’s gift shop and local bookshops. What Santa Sees also features in Life’s Santa Experience, where visitors get to see the show in the planetarium before meeting the man himself in his house, watching exciting festive demonstrations and receiving the book as a present from Santa.